Partner Article

SGS Awarded Rio 2016 Olympics, ISO 20121 Certification

(26 AUGUST 2016, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM) The Rio 2016 Olympics will leave a positive legacy of sustainability after two weeks of intense sports events, with its achievement of ISO 20121 Sustainable Event Management certification.

Following a thorough audit process conducted by SGS, work by the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee to deliver the Olympic and Paralympic Games in a sustainable manner was recognised with the award of ISO 20121 certification. SGS has strength of experience in certifying against the ISO 20121 standard for events such as the 2012 London Olympic Games, the Roland-Garros French Open, and UEFA EURO 2016.

A plaque confirming the ISO 20121 certification was awarded to Rio 2016 President Carlos Arthur Nuzman, on behalf of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee by Vanda Nunes, director of SGS Brazil on 27 January 2016.

“We went through a very thorough external audit which certified that we are serious about sustainability and assuming good management practices,” explained Nuzman. “This will be a legacy for the events sector. What we have done here is unprecedented in Brazil.”

ISO 20121 audits the sustainability of event-related activities, products and services by pursuing objectives including financial success, sound social responsibility strategies and activities, and reduction of environmental footprints. The standard is currently considered the most demanding in the world in terms of environmental sustainability for the organisation of a sports event.

Vanda Nunes of SGS Brazil acknowledged that the award from SGS is a public recognition that Rio 2016 had implemented what had been proposed.

Julie Duffus, Rio 2016 Sustainability Manager explained that the award reflects the synergy between different areas of the organising committee and added, “It has been a challenging situation, of course, but we have managed to involve all parties, from internal employees to suppliers.”

“Sustainability is embedded in our processes and this certification proves it.”

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